Flexible conveyer chute



June 16, 1959 M. o. AUMANN FLEXIBLE CONVEYER CHUTE Filed March 7, 195a 4 Sheets-Sheet l- INVENTOR.

MARX .D. AUMAA/A/ 4rraeA/EX June 16, 1959 M. D. AUMANN 2,890,779

FLEXIBLE CONVEYER CHUTE: Filed March 7. 1958 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. MARK D. AuMAA/M I Arraemzy.

4 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR.

June 16, 1959 M. D. AUMANN rwxmm CONVEYER CHUTE Filed March 7, 195a .IIQA v a I 5 2 June 16, 1959 M. D. AUMANN FLEXIBLE CQNVEYER CHUTE 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed March 7, 1958 a Meme 0 AUMAN/v United States Patent Oflice 2,890,779 Patented June .16, 1-959 2,890,779 FLEXIBLE CONVEYER "Mark "D. Aumaim, Fullerton, Calif assign'or to Townsend Engineered Products Incorporated, "Santa Ana, 'Califl, a corporation f "California Application March '7, 1958, Serial No. 719,976

28 Claims. '-(Cl. 19325) This invention relates to conveyer chutes, and particularly to a flexible conveyer chute of simplified construction.

This application is a continuation-impart of my copending application, Serial No. 608,477, filed "September '7, 1956, and entitled Flexible 'Conveyer Chute.

Numerous different forms of flexible conveyer chutes have been devised, and while capable of satisfactorily performing their intended function of guiding articles to be conveyed along a defined path, these existing chutes possess certain inherent "deficiencies which pose problems in the manufacture'and application of the chutes.

In general, flexible conveyer chutes comprise a series of generally identical articulated links which permit flexing of the'chute to a "desired configuration. In the past each "of these several links have comprised a frame composed "of a multiplicity of elements which were riveted or "otherwise secured together. This assembly of the elements to form the individual frames was accomplished in one or more *subassembly operations, and the several frames thus formed were interconnected in a final assembly operation to form the conveyer chute.

Th'ese 'subassem'bly operations, obviously, were time consuming and added to the complexity andcostof manufacture of the conveyer chute. Moreover, owing to the relatively large number :of individual elements comprising in most cases each of the link frames, and the 'subassembly-operations necessary to assemble these elements to form the individual "frames, a relatively large number of tools, such as dies, assembly jigs, and the like, were required. Often, this tooling was complex and costly 'owing to the complex configurations 6f the elements. It is also evident that such complex tooling required substantial Skill and training of the personnel using the same and arela'tively large number of personnel to accomplish the manufacture of a givenchute.

In order that conveyer chutes be capable -of satisfactorily and efliciently per-forming their intended function of conveying articles from one point to another, it is essential, obviously, that the frames comprising the links of the chute possess substantial rigidity against excessive inward or outward deflection 'or bending to constrict or enlarge the passage through the chute. In most cases, the conveyer chute must, of necessity, be relatively restricted in size. Accordingly, to provide the necessary rigidity, the link frames have, in the past, been constructed of relatively heavy gage metal and/ or auxiliary reinforcing means have been employed. The use of heavy gage metal, of course, not only adds considerably to the weight of the chute, which is extremely objectionable in various applications, such as aircraft-applications, but also complicates the various manufacturing steps, such as punching and forming, involved.

In certain types of conveyer chutes, rigidity of the link frames is especially essential. Thus, in flexible conveyor chutes for conveying linked rounds of ammunition from a supply to an automatic Weapon, the individual link frames are generally of open construction. This construction provides along t-he chute a longitudinal opening'through which access may be had to a belt of ammunition in the chute for manually movingthe belt along the chute during loading of the conveyer system. The ends of the frames, defining therebetween this access opening, are unsupported, and if not suitably reinforced are prone to deflection :in transverse planes of the guideway. Inward deflection of theseends constrictstheg'uideway through the chute and, if excessive, prevents free movement of the rounds through the chute.

Outward deflection of these ends under the internal loads imposed thereon by the rounds being conveyed, on the ot-herhand, enlarge the ;guideway through the chute. Excessive outward deflection -of these ends is most likely to occur in chutes employed with a booster device for assisting the weapon inmoving "the ammunition belt. In such cases the guideway may become so-enl-arged as to allow the ammunition belt to pyramid with resultant jamming of the chute.

In view of the foregoing remarks, a general object of this invention may be stated as being the provision of a flexible conveyer chute of simplified construction.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a flexible conveyer-chute possessing .a minimum number of parts and requiring minimum tooling of simple design in its fabrication.

Yet another object of the invention is the provision of a flexible conveyer chute which requires a of assembly operations and wherein the fabrication of the huteinvolves only the steps of forming the individual components and final, assembly of the components into a flexible chute. I

A further object of the invention is the provision of a flexible conveyer chute wherein final assembly 'of'the components into a flexible chute is accomplished'by simple clipping of the-components together without the need of spot Welds or other auxiliary fastening means. 1

A still further object of the invention is the provision of a flexible conveyer chute wherein the individual link frames are so constructed as to possess minimum weight and maximum rigidity against deflection to constric't or enlarge the chute guideway. I

Yet a further object of the invention is the provision of a flexible conveyer chute of the character described wherein the individual links 'may be quickly and easily detached.

Astill further object of the invention is the provision of a flexible conveyer chute which is relatively simple in construction, inexpensive to manufacture, and otherwise especially Well suited to its intended purposes.

Briefly, the foregoing and otherobjects of the invention are achieved, in the illustrative embodiment of the invention, by the provisions of a series "of identical link frames which are slotted for receipt of interconnecting runners extending from one'frame to the next. These runners are'o f generally U-shaped configuration and fabricated of flexible spring steel so as to accommodate relative articulation of the'link frames of the chute.

Lin assembled condition, the leaves or legs of these runners extend through the slots in respective adjacent frames and are interleaved between the leaves or legs of the runners on the adjacent frames. This interleaving is accommodated "by slots in the runners themselves. Rapid and simple assembly of the frames and runners to form a chute is accomplished by insertion of the lan'ced runner legs through the slots of adjacent frames, both legs of each runner beinginserted through the slot in an adjacent runner so that adjacent runner legs overlap to provide a relatively smooth guide surface in the chute.

In one form of the invention, one of the legs of each runner is lanced to provide extending louvers and a tab which abut the respective adjacent frames to prevent extraction of the runners from the slots in the frames and limitextension of the chute. In an alternative form of the chute, one leg of each runner is formed with a pair of inclined tabs which extend to opposite sides of the leg and are engageable with the tabs on the overlapping legs of adjacent runners to limit extension of the chute.

To achieve maximum rigidity with minimum weight, the link frames are of generally channel-shaped crosssection with the channel of the frame opening longitudinally rather than transversely of the chute as in most existing conveyer chutes of which I am aware. This construction of the frames places the flanges of the channels so as to obtain greatest rigidity of the frames against flexing to enlarge or constrict the chute guideway.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art from V the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the annexed drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a top plan view of one form of the present conveyer chute, the latter being illustrated as flexed in roll;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the conveyer chute of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 illustrates a series of links of the conveyer chute of Fig. 1 flexed in flat fan;

Fig. 4 is a section taken along line 44 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged section taken along line 55 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged view in perspective of one of the novel runners which interconnect adjacent links of the conveyer chute of Fig. 1;

Fig. 6a is a perspective view of a modified runner;

Fig. 7 is an enlarged view in elevation of one of the links comprising the chute of Fig. 1;

Fig. 8 is an enlarged section taken along line 8--8 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 9 illustrates a modified form of the invention;

Fig. 10 is a view of a still further modified form of the present chute shown as flexed in roll attitude;

Fig. ll is a side elevation of the chute of Fig. 10;

Fig. 12 is an enlarged perspective of a modified runner embodied in the chute of Fig. 10;

Fig. 13 is an enlarged perspective of another modified runner embodied in the chute of Fig. 10;

Fig. 14 is an enlarged section taken along the line 1414 of Fig. 11;

Fig. 15 is an enlarged side view of one of the link frames embodied in the chute of Fig. 10;

Fig. 16 is an enlarged longitudinal section through the chute of Fig. 10;

Fig. 16a illustrates the manner of joining the runners and frames of the chute;

Fig. 17 is an enlargement of the area encircled by the arrow 17 in Fig. 16; and

Fig. 18 illustrates the manner of detaching links from the chute.

In Figs. 1-8 of the attached drawings there is illustrated a flexible conveyer chute 20 constructed in accordance with the invention and comprising a series of identical link assemblies including links 22 which are flex ibly interconnected by a series of runners 24 through 34. The illustrative embodiment of the present conveyer chute is especially designed for conveying rounds 36 of ammunition joined by a series of interengaging links 38 into a belt. Accordingly, the several links 22 of the present conveyer chute are contoured to provide in the latter a guideway 40 conforming, generally, to the shape of the rounds 36. It will become apparent, however, as the description proceeds that the features of this invention may be incorporated into flexible conveyer chutes for conveying articles other than rounds of ammunition. The invention, therefore, should not be thought of as the frame in twist attitude.

4 limited to flexible ammunition conveyer chutes as herein disclosed for illustrative purposes.

As indicated above, the several links 22 are identical and, accordingly, only one of these links will be described in detail, it being understood that the following description will apply equally well to any one or all of the several links 22. Each of the links 22 comprises a frame 42 of channel section defined by a web 44 and flanges 46 and 48 extending perpendicular to the web 44. For reasons preliminarily indicated and hereinafter more fully discussed, web 44 extends in a plane normal to the longitudinal axis of the guideway 40 while the flanges 46 and 48 extend in planes parallel to such axis.

To accommodate the conveying of belted or linked ammunition, the web 44 and the flanges 46 and 48 are contoured, as shown most clearly in Fig. 7, so that there are formed along the normally lower lateral leg of the frame a pair of spaced depressions 50 and 52 separated by a relatively raised section 54. The upper left hand leg of the frame, as viewed in Fig. 7, is contoured to provide an outer recessed portion 56 and an inner raised portion 60. The frame 42, at the depression 50 is reduced as much as is practical to provide flexibility to As shown, the depressed portions 50 and 52 on the lower leg of the frame also provide clearance spaces for opposite, downwardly inclined ends of the links 38 of the belt of ammunition while the upper recessed portion 56 merely provides clearance for the butt ends of the rounds 36.

To accommodate interconnection of the several frames 42 into a unitary conveyer chute by means of the runners 24-34, the web 44 of each frame is formed with a series of slots designated by numerals 24a34a so as to correspond to the numerals applied to the runners which are received in those slots, as described below. Slots 24a, 26a, 30a, 32a and 34a are shown to be of the same length while slot 28a is shown as being somewhat longer. The widths of all of the slots 24a-34a are the same and of a dimension somewhat greater than twice the thickness of the material from which the runners are formed so that the legs of two runners are adapted to be freely received within each of the slots.

As shown most clearly in Fig. 8, the inner flanges 46 of the frame have portions 46' thereof bent at an angle toward the outer flanges 48 for a length substantially equal to that of the adjacent slot 24a-34a and aligned with the adjacent slot.

The runners 24-34 are all substantially identical and differ only in the greater lateral dimension of runner 28 and the lesser length of the end runners 32 and 34. Runner 28 is preferably, though not necessarily, wider than the other runners so as to be engageable by the links 38 of the ammunition belt. This is done to limit rocking of the links about the axes of the rounds 36.

Owing to their similar construction, only one of these runners, namely, runner 24, will be described in detail, it being understood that such detailed description will apply equally well to the remainder of the runners except, as noted, to dimension. Runner 24 (Fig. 6) is fabricated from a strip of spring steel, or the like, which is sheared to the configuration shown and folded about a center line to form a pair of flexible legs 62 and 64. Leg 62 is somewhat longer than leg 64 to facilitate their separation for ease of assembly. The curved connecting portion 65 of the runner bridging the legs 62 and 64 conforms substantially to a semi-circle as shown. The width of leg 62 is somewhat less than the length of the slot 24a while both legs 62 and 64 are enlarged adjacent the curved connecting portion 65 to form a pair of right angle shoulders 66 at opposite sides of leg 62 and a pair of inclined shoulders 68 at opposite sides of leg 64.

The rounded portion 65 of the runner-is centrally slotted at 70 for receiving the legs 62 and 64 of an adjacent runner in the assembled condition of the links, as

described'belo'w. Legdfis lanced "aiong'ailinespaced a distance d 'fromthe shoulders 66;and"formed withupstanding louvers 72 and'7'd. Distance d is somewhat 'greater than the thickness-of the material from which -link frames 42 are made.

Runnerleg 62'is alsolance d and bent=outwardly adjacent its tiptoform'an'upstandingtab76. Asshown,

louvers 72 and "-74project from the side of runner 'leg '62remote-'from leg 64while tab 76 projectstoward'the latter leg. The 'outer'surfaces'of louvers Hand 74 and tab 76 slope toward the surface of leg 62 in the direction of the tip of the latter.

Runner leg62 may, if desired,'be-'formed'-with asecond pair of louvers 78 and --80 at theedge "of slot 70 in'the runner, as shown in Fig. 6a. fheselatter louvers may be provided to afford relief 'for and next the'louvers 72 and 74 on the preceding aligned runner in tight "roll. Also, While two'louvers'72 and -7'4 have been shown, one

louver spaced a somewhat-greaterdistance d from shoulder .66 may be employed in some cases to permit increased angulation of the'runners with *respect to their frames '42. Such increased angulation 'might be'necessary for example,'to=a-smaller minimum roll radius.

As indicated above, -the remainder of 'the runnersare substantially identical to =that justdescri bed and differ from the latter only ini'dimensions. Accordingly,no description of these other runners isdeemed necessary. For facility in the description of the assembly 'of the links .and runners, set forth "below, thelanced legs of all the adjacent frame. The legs 62 are thus'inserted to position 'louvers 72 and 74"beyond the web -44of 'th'e'one frame .and the Web 76 beyond the web of the adjacent frame, as shown most clearly in Fig.8. The resiliency of the material from which the runners are made accommodate slight inward flexing of the louvers and tab during insertion .of the runner legs through their respective slots. After movement of the-louvers and tab beyond the'webs of the frames, they return to their normal condition wherein they limit movement of the runner legs intheir respective slots.

In final assembled.conditionbf the several frames and runners, illustrated most clearly inF-ig S, the leg 62 of one runner extends throughthe slot70 in-the curved connecting portion 65 of the adjacent runner and through the aligned slot :in the web 'of'the adjacent frame and 'is interleaved between the leg 4620f the latter runner and the outer surface of the .inner flange =46 on the latter frame. Asdescribed :ab'ove, .louvers 72 and '74 and tab 76 on the interleaved :leg .62 are positioned'beyon-d the webs 44 of the frames, in the manner illustrated, so that the frames are securedtagainst separation. .Theother leg 64 of each runner extends through :the slot 70 in the curved connecting portion '65 of the adjacent runner and is then interleaved between the leg 64 of the latter run net and inner surface of the inner flange- :6 on the adjacent frame.

As shown in Fig. 8, the resilient'flexibility of the run- .ners 24, 26, 28 and 3t) accommodates articulation of the .conveyer chute in roll, the minimum ro'll radius being fixed by abutment ofthe inner edges ofadjacent frames 42 and the maximum extensiontof adjacent frames at their outer edges. The maximum extension is, in turn, determined by abutment of the tabs 76 andshoulders 66.0nthe outerrunners 24, 26 or 28, it), as the casemay be (namely, runners 2d andZ for thedirection of roll illustrated in Fig. 8), with the webs 44 of their adjacent frames. During such articulation of the conveyer chute in roll,

6 the "end runners 32 and 34remain un flexed andareangulatedin theirplane, asillustrated in Fig. 8.

Similarly, articulation of the frames in "fan (Fig. 3) 'and'the minimum fan radius are limited by abutment-of the inner edges of the frames'and extension of'the'outer edges ofthe'framea-to theiriimit. 'This extensionisdetermined by'abutment of the tabs 76 and shoulders-66 on the outer end runners 32 and 34, as the case may be (runners 32 for the-directionof fan shown in Fig. 3-), with'the webs 44- of their adjacent'frames. Duringsuch articulation of the chute'in fan, theen'drunners "32 and 34 areflexed-whiiethe top and-bottom-runners 24-30remain unflexed and are angulated in their planes in the same manner'as were the end'runners 32 and'34during articulation of 'the chuteinroll.

A slightly modified link-frame for the link is illustrated in Fig. 9 wherein the inner flanges @6 are lanced and oflset'toward the outer flanges 48in alignment with each of the slots 24614411. The resulting offset portions are arranged tobear on the-outer legs 62 of the runners, as shown, to assureengagement of the 'louvers 72 -and"'74 -on the outer runner legs -62 with the Webs -44 of the frames. 'In assembled condition of theselatter frames,

the outer legs -62 of the runners on one frame extend through the slots min the curved connecting-portionsdf the runners on adjacent frames and are then interleaved between the'inner flangesde-of the adjacent frames and the offset portionslfli).

As will be noted in Fig. -8, when the frames QItB COH'I- pressed'to their-limit, as arethe'inner edges-of theframes in roll, the endsof the runner legs associated with one frame extend completely beyondthe adjacent frame and the alternate frame. The inner-inclined edges 46-ofthe linner flanges 46 actas-cam-mingsurfaces ito cam the inner runner legs 64 inwardly of the inner flanges '46 on the alternate frames.

Movementof the articles through the conveyer chute of longitudinally extending guiding surfaces spaced about the chute guideway i0.

It will be apparent from Fig. 7 that the upper inwardly extending lateral legs 42a and 42b of the frame 42am unsupported and if not suitably reinforced, would be subject to deflection inwardly of the chute guideway 40. if such inward deflection is excessive, the guideway or passage 40 through the chute may be restricted to suchtanextent as to preclude passage of the articles there- :through. Also,-as preliminarily noted, excessive outward deflection of these unsupported legs enlarges the guideway and renders the-chute subject to jamming especially when a booster device is used.

It will be noted that-the neutral axis of the legs 'insuch deflection is at a position somewhat as indicated MN and that the flanges 46 and 4-8 of the legs extend normal to the plane of this deflection. The Web 44 is in "the plane of this deflection, owing to the opening of the channel of the frame in a longitudinal direction of the chute. This arrangement places the two flanges '46 and 48 of Ithe frame at maximum distances from theneutral axis during bending of the legs 42a and 42b in a direction to restrict or enlarge the guideway '40 so that maxi mum resistance to suc'hbending is offered. Accordingly, the frames 42, and especially the unsupported legs 42a and 4212, have maximum stiffness and rigidity against deflection in the plane normal to the guideway. The possibility of bending of the frame to excessively constrict or enlarge the guideway 40 through the chute is, therefore, substantially reduced without increasing the weight of the frames by the use of heavy gauge metal 'or auxiliary reinforcing means. Obviously, a closed =rectangular frame construction might be used in some cases to eliminate the unsupported frame legs.

Figs. -101'8.illustrate a conveyer chutesimilafto those described above, but incorporating 'a still further modi- '7 fied form of flexible runner. This modified runner is especially designed to facilitate detachment and assembly of the individual links or frames and reduce the resistance to flexing of the chute, as well as resistance to passage of articles through the chute.

Referring to these figures, the modified conveyer chute will be seen to comprise a series of link frames 200 which are substantially identical to the link frames 42 of Figs. 1 through 8. Thus, each of the link frames 200 is of open, generally rectangular configuration and has a channel section defined by a web 202 in the plane of the link and inner and outer flanges 204 and 206 along opposite edges of the web 202. Each link frame 200, as viewed in Fig. 15, is substantially identical in configuration to the previously described link frame 42, as viewed in Fig. 7, so as to accommodate the conveying of linked rounds of ammunition.

Opening through the web 202 of each of the link frames 200 are a series of slots 208A to 216A for receiving the modified runners referred to above and to be presently described. The link frames 200 of Figs. l8 difier from the link frames 42 of Figs. 1 through 8, in that the portions of the inner flanges 204 aligned with the slots 208 through 216 in the webs 202 of the former links are planar and incline slightly inwardly of the chute passage rather than being bent outwardly in the manner illustrated at 46 in Figs. 1 through 8. Also, each of the link frames 200 has a pair of abutment lips 220 extending inwardly of the frame from the edges of the outer flanges 206 at the ends of the frame. These lips 220 abut adjacent frames when the chute is compressed or flexed in tight fan attitude.

The several link frames 200, comprising the chute of Figs. 10-18, are flexibly interconnected by a series of flexible runners designated by the numerals 208 through 218 so as to correspond to the numerals applied to the frame slots 208A to 218A which receive the legs of the respective runners as hereinafter described. The runners 208 through 214 are generally similar as are the two end runners 216 and 218, so that only one of each of these two groups of runners, namely, runner 208 and runner 216, will be described in detail, it being understood that such detailed description will also apply to the other runners or runner in the respective groups.

Runners 208 and 216 are similar, one to the other, and to the runners of Figs. 1 through 8, in that each is fabricated from a strip of spring steel or the like which is sheared to the configuration shown, and folded about a center line to form on each runner a pair of flexible legs 222 and 224 (Figs. 12 and 13) and a connecting portion 226. The runner legs 222 are hereinafter referred to as the outer legs, while the runner legs 224 are hereinafter referred to as the inner legs, inasmuch as in the assembled condition of the runners and link frames 200, the legs 222 extend through the frame slots 208A through 218A, as the case may be, outwardly of the inner frame flanges 204, while the runner legs 224 extend inwardly of such flanges.

As shown most clearly in Fig. 12, the inner runner leg 224 of runner 208 is somewhat longer than the outer runner leg 222 and has its free end tapered and rounded, as illustrated, to facilitate assembly of the runners and link frames. The outer runner leg 222 has a generally rectangular configuration and a Width substantially equal to the width of the inner runner leg 224 at the base of the latter. The runner is enlarged adjacent the connecting portion 226 to form a pair of right angle shoulders 228 at opposite sides of the outer leg 222 and a pair of inclined shoulders 230 at opposite sides of the inner leg 224. The connecting portion 226 is formed with a slot, or notch, 232, having a length measured transversely of the runner legs 222 and 224, which is slightly greater than the width of the legs.

The outer runner leg 222 is semi-circularly lanced adjacent its base and tip, as indicated at 234 and 236.

As shown, the lances 234 and 236 curve toward one another. The generally semi-circular tab 238 defined by the base lance 234 is bent inwardly, as shown most clearly in Fig. 12, at an acute angle to the plane of the upper runner leg 222. This tab 238 is formed with a perforation 240 designed to receive a slender, rod-like instrument I (Fig. 18) for flexing the tab 238 from its normal position of Fig. 17 to its position of Fig. 18. The tab 238 is thus flexed to facilitate detachment of the individual frames 200 of the chute, as will be presently described.

The generally semi-circular tab 241, defined by the tip lance 236, is bent outwardly at an acute angle to the plane of the upper runner leg 222, as shown. The upper runner leg 222, at its base, is formed with a pair of longitudinal lances 242 opening through the edge of the notch 232 in the connecting portion 226 of the runner. The rectangular tab 244, defined by these longitudinal lances 242, is bent upwardly into substantially perpendicular relationship to the plane of the upper runner leg 222. As may be observed most clearly in Fig. 16, the plane of the perpendicular tab 244 is spaced a distance D, toward the tip of the upper runner leg 222, from the right angular shoulders 228 at the base of the latter leg.

Extending longitudinally of the runner legs 222 and 224 and toward the tips of the latter, at opposite ends of the curved connecting portion 226, are a pair of tongues 246. These lips terminate just short of the right angular runner shoulders 228. The inner edges of these tongues 246, that is, the edges proximate to and substantially paralleling the inner runner legs 224, are spaced from the latter a distance which is substantially greater than the thickness of the material from which the frames 200 are fabricated.

Referring now to Fig. 13, the outer and inner legs 222' and 224', respectively, of the end runner 216, which, as indicated, is identical to the other end runner 218, will be seen to be of substantially the same length and be tapered and rounded at their tips. These rounded, tapered tips of the runner legs are outwardly curved slightly, as shown. The outer runner leg 222 adjacent its base is semi-circularly lanced at 248. The generally semi-circular tab 250 defined by the lance 248 is bent outwardly at an acute angle to the plane of the outer runner leg 222.

As in the runner 208 of Fig. 12, the connecting portion 252 of the runner 216 is somewhat enlarged relative to the width of the runner legs, so as to form at the base of the inner runner leg 224 inclined shoulders 256. Perpendicular shoulders are defined by inwardly bent lips 258 on the enlarged, connecting portion 252 at opposite sides of the outer runner leg 222'.

The connecting portion 252 of the runner is formed with a notch or slot 260 and with longitudinally extending lances 264 opening through the edge of this slot 260. The lances 264 define therebetween enlarged outer and inner tabs 266 and 268, respectively.

The outer tab 266 extends in the plane of the outer runner leg 222, while the inner, enlarged tab 268 is bent slightly toward the outer tab 266.

In assembly of the link frames and runners, the lanced, outer leg 222 or 222 of each of the runners 208 through 218 is inserted first through its respective slot 208A through 218A in one of the frames 200, then through the slot 232 or 260, as the case may be, in the connecting portion of the aligned runner on the adjacent frame, and finally through the aligned slot 208A through 218A in the adjacent frame. The outer runner legs 222 are thus inserted through their respective frame slots to position the perpendicular tabs 244 on the runners 208 through 214, beyond the web 202 of the one frame and the outwardly inclined tip tab 241 on that runner leg beyond the web 202 of the adjacent frame, as well as beyond the downwardly extending base tab 238 on the runner which extends from the latter frame, as may be observed most clearly in Fig. 16.

In this respect, it will be observed in Fig. 16a that the tabs 244 are proportioned to pass through the frameslots when the runners are inclined to the 'frames, as shown insolid lines-inthe latter figure. The illustrated rounded inner edges of the tongues'2 46 enable the runners to be "thus inclined. After the "tabs on therunners have been inserted-through the slots, the runners are rocked'to their dotted line position and the outer runner leg is inserted 218A of the frame untilthe outwardly inclined tabs 250 on the outer runner legs are located beyond the webs 202 of their respective frames, as shown 'most clearly'in Fig. 10. The tip of the-outer runner'legs 222 extend through the slot '2'60in the connecting portion of the aligned end runner on the adjacent link andthroughithe aligned Sslot 216A or 218A, 'as the case maybe, in the web o'fthe adjacent frame.

The inner runner legs 224 of the runners 2tl 8'through '218extend along the inner sides of the flanges 204 of their respective'frame 200 andthrough'the slot in the connecting portion ofthe aligned runner onthe adjacent frame so as to have their tip portions received between the inner runner leg 'on the adjacent'frame and the inner surface of the inner flange 204 on'theadjacent frame, as shown in the drawings. Theinterleaved, overlapping disposition of the runner legs 222 and 224 of the runners 208 through 218 is, therefore, thus far substantially identical'to the interleaved, overlapping disposition of'the runnerlegs in the conveyer chute of Figs. 1 through .8. In the chute of Figs. 10 16, however, the tips of the inner runner legs extend -on the outer side of the third or alternate link frames, as shown in Fig. 16. 'When thelinks are com pressed, therefore, the inner runner legs-extend-through the alignedframe slots 208A 218A in the alternate frames, as shown in 'the lower portion'of Fig. '16. The aforedescribed slight inward. inclinationof thelinnerfiangesZM act to lead the innerrunner legs to the outside .of the flanges in the alternate frames. 'It willbe apparent-that only two inner runner legs overlap within the chutepassage at all points along the :latter. .Thereis, therefore, no reduction in the cross-sectional dimensionsof the chute passage when the :chute is .compressed, .as voecursin the chute of.Figs. l-8 due to the increasednumber of-runner legs which overlap within-the .passagewhen the .latter chute is compressed. In the chute of Figs. .l'18, accordingly, thereis lessresistance to'movement of articles through the passage whenthe chute-is.compressed. This reduces the resistance to' compression, and, vtherefore, flexing of the chute.

As in thecaseof the conveyer chute of Figs. 1 through 8, the resilient flexibility of the runners .208'through214 accommodates articulation of the conveyer chute in roll, the minimum rollradius beirigfixed byabutment of the inner edges of adjacent-frames 200 and the -maximum extension of adjacent frames attheir-outeredges. 'In the case of the conveyer chute of Figs. 1018, this maximum extension'is, in turn, determined by interengagement of theinclinedbase'and tip'tabs .238 and 241011 the overlapping, outerlegs 222 ofthe runners 208 through 214, in'the manner shown in Fig. .17.

Articulation of the chute-in Ifan andtheminimum fan radiusare limited by abutment of the inner edges-of-the frames 200and' extension of the outer edges of the frames to'their-limit. This extension,'in the conveyer .chute 'of Figs. 10-18, is determined again 'by-theinterengagement of the tabs 238 and 241 on the outer. runner legs 222, as in the case'of roll, .rather than by interengagementof tabson'the end runners 216.and.2l8, as was true in the conveyer .chuteof Figs. l through 8. During articula- "'tion-of -'the chute 'an'd' fan, 'the 'end runners "are fiexed'whilethe top 'and bottom runners 208"-through "21 1 are :merelyangulated intheir'plane. 7

It will beobserved thataxial' tension on the-chute "in the illustrated condition of maximum roll, as well as in minimum ffan radius and maximum extension of the chute, is taken up entirely through the 'outer runner legs I222. Thus, this'tensionis transmitted from one runner leg directly to the adjacent leg through the interengaging tabs -238 and 241, rather than through the link frames 'as 'was the case in the conveyer chute of Figs. 1=through""'8. This permits the "maximum -'extension of the 'chute'and 'the minimum fan and roll radii to be more accurately tcontrol'led'than-inthe caseof the conveyer chute of Figs.

'1 through '8, by providing an accurate spacing between the base and tip tabs 238and'241pn'the'runner legs'222. 'A unique advantage of'the presentflexiblechutedesign 'is that the runners can "overlap a greater distance'than in existing chutes employing conventional hookand eye'or loop arrangements for interconnecting adjacent link frames. The present chute design, therefore, enables 'a "greater 'degreeof chute articulation, "extension and compression than existing chutes'ofthe type mentioned.

'-From' the foregoing description, 'it'willbeapparent' that fabricationof the-present conveyer chute 'involvesfmerely the forming of the several link-"frames and 'flexibl'e' runners and "final assembly thereof into an-integral conveyer chute. It will beseen, therefore, 'thatthere' has been described "and illustrated a 'conveyer'chutewhich is fully capable of obtain-ing the objects'and'advantagesprelimi- 'narily set forthwhile certainpreferred embodiments of the invention have been described and il lustrated'for'illustrative purposes, it willbe evident that numerous/"modifications in design and arrangement ofparts is possible within the scope of the following'claims.

Iclaim:

-1. -A flexibleconveyer-chutehaving a longitudinal'pa'ssage-through which "articles to be conveyed are adapted to move, said chute comprising: a series of-linkassemblies arranged lengthwise of said passage each including a frame extending about the passage and 'a plurality of couplingmeans joining the frames of adjacent assemblies for relative articulation and'relative extensible'and contraotile movement'longitudinally .o fthe passage, the.several frames "having aplurarlity -ofsimilarlylocated openingsspaced about and opening through'theframes'lengthwise of'said passage; each of said coupling means comprising a flexible runner extending slidably through one of 'saidopenings in the frame-of its respective assembly andthe corresponding opening in the frame ofian adjacent assembly, means 'for limiting. movement of the runner'in opposite directions-in said one opening, abutment means on said runner, cooperating abutment'means on said adjacent assembly engageable with said runner abutmerit meansto'limit separation of the assemblies, one of said abutment means being flexible to clear the other abutment means and said runnerabutment means being movablethrough said corresponding openingin the adjacent assembly whereby to permit separation of said assemblies.

2. The subject matter of claim '1 wherein said openings areslots in said frames and said runners comprise'fiexible leaves loosely received in said slots.

3."Th'e subject matter of claim '1 wherein said runner abutment means areflexible, and said cooperatingabutment'meanscomprise said-frame of the adjacent. assembly.

4. The subject matter of claim 1 wherein said 1cooperatingabutment means are .on the runners \of said adjacent assembly, .the longitudinally aligned runners of adjacent assemblies overlapping.

v5. Aflexible conveyer chute having alongitudinalpassage through which articles .to be conveyed are adapted to move, -saidchute comprising: :a series .of link assemblies arranged lengthwise :of saidpassage eachincluding a .frameextending about the passage and a,.plurali ty of -coupling means joining the frames'of adjacent assemblies for relative articulation and relative extensible and coneral frames having a plurality of similarly located openings spaced about and extending through the frames lengthwise of the passage; each of said coupling means comprising a generally U-shaped runner including a pair of spaced, substantially parallel legs and a connecting portion joining the legs at one end; one leg of each runner extending slidably through corresponding openings in the frames of adjacent assemblies and the other leg of each runner extending longitudinally of the passage within the latter and forming an article guiding surface within said passage; and said assemblies including cooperating abutment means for limiting relative longitudinal movement of said runners and frames.

6. The subject matter of claim wherein said frames comprise flanges paralleling said passage and straddled by said runner legs.

7. The subject matter of claim 5 wherein said connecting portions of the runners are slotted for receiving the legs of adjacent runners whereby said runner legs are disposed in overlapping fashion.

8. The subject matter of claim 7 wherein said frames comprise flanges straddled by said runner legs, one leg of each runner extending from one frame to an adjacent frame and having its free end slidably disposed between said flange of the adjacent frame and said one leg of the corresponding runner extending from said adjacent frame to the next following frame.

9. The subject matter of claim 1 wherein each of said frames includes a wall in a transverse plane of said passage and having said openings therein.

10. The subject matter of claim 9 wherein each of said frames includes flanges at inner and outer edges of said wall, said flanges extending substantially perpen dicular to said wall and substantially parallel to the passage whereby said frames possess maximum rigidity against bending in said plane.

11. A flexible conveyer chute having a longitudinal passage through which articles to be conveyed are adapted to move, said chute comprising: a series of link assemblies spaced lengthwise of the passage each including a frame extending about the passage, the several frames having similarly located slots in zones spaced about said passage and opening through the frames longitudinally of the passage, and coupling means joining adjacent frames for relative articulation and relative extensible and contractile movement longitudinally of the passage; said coupling means comprising generally U-shaped runners of flexible material each including a pair of flexible leaves as legs thereof and a connecting portion joining the leaves at one end, each pair of corresponding slots in adjacent frames having one leaf of a runner extending slideably therethrough longitudinally of the passage and the other leaves of the runners extending longitudinally of the passage within the latter and forming guiding surfaces for the articles conveyed, the length of said leaves being such as to accommodate limited relative movement of adjacent frames longitudinally of the passage, and cooperating abutment means on adjacent assemblies for limiting longitudinal separation thereof.

12. The subject matter of claim 11 wherein said con necting portions of the runners are slotted and receive therethrough the leaves of adjacent runners whereby said runner leaves are arranged in overlapping fashion. 7

13. The subject matter of claim 12 wherein said one leaf of each runner extending from a given frame to an adjacent frame passes through the slot in the connecting portion of the corresponding runner extending from said latter frame to the next frame and then through the slot in the wall of said latter adjacent frame, the other leaf of each runner passing through the slot in said corre sponding runner and being interleaved between said other leaf of the latter runner and said latter adjacent frame.

14. The subject matter of claim 11 wherein said abutment means comprise shoulder means adjacent said con necting portion of each runner engageable with said frame of the respective assembly to limit separation of each runner and its respective frame, detent means adjacent the free end of said one leaf of each runner, and means -on the adjacent assembly engageable with said detent means to limit separation of each runner and the adjacent frame.

15. The subject matter of claim 14 wherein said shoulder and detent means are punched from said one leaf of each runner.

16. The subject matter of claim 15 wherein said detent means are flexible whereby to permit separation of the runners and frames.

17. The subject matter of claim 11 wherein each of said frames are channel-shaped in cross-section with the web of the channel disposed in a transverse plane of said passage, said web being flanged along its inner and outer edges parallel to said passage whereby said channel opens longitudinally of the passage and said frames present maximum rigidity to bending in said plane.

18. The subject matter of claim 17 wherein said slots are formed in said web of each frame.

19. The subject matter of claim 11 wherein each frame includes a wall in a transverse plane of said passage which is formed with said slots and flanged along its inner edges parallel to the passage, the leaves of the runners in each assembly straddling said flanges on the frame of the respective assembly, the connecting portions of the runners being slotted, and the leaves of each mnner passing through the slot in the corresponding runner of an adjacent assembly, said other leaves of the runners of each assembly being interleaved between said other leaves of the runners in an adjacent assembly and said flange on said frame of the latter assembly, and said flanges being outwardly inclined in portions thereof aligned with said slots whereby said other leaves on the runners are cammed inwardly of the flanges when the frames are compressed.

20. The subject matter of claim 19 wherein the free ends of said one leaf of the runners are inwardly inclined whereby said one leaf of the runners extending from one assembly through a slot in the frame of an adjacent assembly is cammed inwardly of the flange on the frame of the next following assembly when the frames are compressed.

21. The subject matter of claim 11 wherein each frame includes a wall in a transverse plane of said passage and having said slots formed therein, said abutment means comprising shoulder means on said one leaf of each runner adjacent said connecting portion of the latter and detent means adjacent the free end of said one leaf of each runner engageable with opposite sides of said walls of respective adjacent frames.

22. The subject matter of claim 21 wherein said one leaf of corresponding runners are disposed in overlapping fashion, and said cooperating abutment means are on said overlapping leaves.

23. A flexible conveyer chute having a longitudinal passage through which articles to be conveyed are adapted to move, said chute comprising: a series of links spaced lengthwise of the passage, each link comprising a frame extending about said passage and including a wall in a transverse plane of and extending about the passage, said walls of the several frames having similarly located slots therethrough in zones spaced about said passage and disposed in planes substantially paralleling said passage, and coupling means joining adjacent frames for relative articulation and relative extensible and contractile movement longitudinally of the passage, said coupling means comprising generally U-shaped runners of flexible material each having a pair of flexible leaves as legs thereof and a connecting portion joining the leaves at one end, each pair of corresponding slots in adjacent frames having one leaf of a runner extending slideably therethrough longitudinally of the passage and the other leaf of each runner extending longitudinally of the passage within the latter and forming guiding surfaces for the articles conveyed, the length of said leaves being such as to accommodate limited relative movement of adjacent frames longitudinally of the passage, and abutment means on said one leaf of each runner engageable with adjacent frames for limiting longitudinal separation thereof.

24. A flexible conveyer chute having a longitudinal passage through which articles to be conveyed are adapted to move, said chute comprising: a series of links spaced lengthwise of the passage, each link comprising a frame extending about said passage and including a wall in a transverse plane of and extending about the passage, said walls of the several frames having similarly located slots therethrough in zones spaced about said passage and disposed in planes substantially paralleling said passage, and coupling means joining adjacent frames for relative articulation and relative extensible and contractile movement longitudinally of the passage, said coupling means comprising generally U-shaped runners of flexible material each having a pair of flexible leaves as legs thereof and a connecting portion joining the leaves at one end, each pair of corresponding slots in adjacent frames having one leaf of a runner extending slideably therethrough longitudinally of the passage and the other leaf of each runner extending longitudinally of the passage within the latter and forming guiding surfaces for the articles conveyed, the length of said leaves being such as to accommodate limited relative movement of adjacent frames longitudinally of the passage, first abutment means on said one leaf of said runners engageable with said frames for limiting separation of the runners and frames, and second abutment means on said one leaf of said runners, said second abutment means on adjacent longitudinally aligned runners being engageable to limit separation of adjacent frames.

25. A flexible ammunition chute having a passage through which articles of ammunition are adapted to be conveyed, comprising a series of links spaced lengthwise of the passage and each comprising a generally rectangular frame extending about said passage, each frame havign a Wall coextensive therewith and in a transverse plane of the passage, said walls of the frames having a series of similarly located slots therethrough, there being at least one slot in each leg of the frames and the slots extending parallel to the respective legs, and coupling means joining adjacent frames for relative articulation and relative movement longitudinally of the passage,

said coupling means comprising a series of generally U-shaped runners extending between adjacent links, each runner having a pair of substantially parallel flexible leaves forming the legs of the runner and a connecting portion connecting said legs at one end, said connecting portion being slotted, each pair of corresponding slots in adjacent frames having one leaf of a runner extending loosely therethrough longitudinally of the passage, the other leaves of said runners extending in said passage, the runner leaves extending from one frame to an adjacent frame passing through the slots in the connecting portions of the corresponding runners extending from said adjacent frame to the next following frame, where by the runner leaves are arranged in overlapping fashion, said other runner leaves within said passage forming guiding surfaces for the articles conveyed, and cooperating abutment means on the leaves and frames for limiting separation of the frames.

26. The subject matter of claim 25 wherein each of said frames comprises a channel member, said wall forming the web of the channel, and flanges formed along the inner and outer edges of said wall parallel to said passage whereby said frames possess maximum resistance to bending in said transverse planes, said runner leaves straddling the inner flanges of the frames.

27. A link for a conveyer chute of the class described, comprising a frame defining a central opening through which articles conveyed are adapted to move along a given direction line, said frame including a Wall coextensive with the frame and in the plane of said opening, and flanges along the inner and outer edges of said wall extending normal to said plane whereby the frame possesses maximum resistance to bending in said plane.

28. A runner for a conveyer chute of the class described, comprising a strip of thin, flexible material bent into a generally U-shaped configuration to form a pair of substantially panallel, flexible leaves and a connecting portion connecting said leaves at one end, said connecting portion having a slot of a length slightly greater than the width of said leaves, one of said leaves having shoulders adjacent said connecting portion and facing the free ends of the leaves, and said one leaf having spaced projecting abutments.

Schaalf June 13, 1944 Nobles Nov. 22, 1949 

